Robert Wise appointed as new Executive Director of East Bay Jewish Community Campus

Oakland, California – The East Bay Jewish Community Campus has appointed Robert Wise as its new Executive Director, signaling a significant step in the development of the Campus as a vibrant center for Jewish life in the East Bay. This appointment comes as the Campus, located in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, prepares to move into its next phase of growth and expansion.

The Campus, which is housed in the former Dreyer’s Ice Cream headquarters, is being developed to serve as a shared civic home for various Jewish communal organizations and initiatives. It will be the home to a growing network of Jewish community partners, including the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCC East Bay).

Robert Wise will lead the Campus, collaborating closely with the JCC East Bay, its leadership, and the community organizations and initiatives that will make the Campus their home. His role will focus on advancing the long-term vision of the Campus, strengthening partnerships, and stewarding the property.

"We are entering an exciting new phase as we transform the Campus into a lasting community institution," said Steven Douglas, Chair of the Campus Board. "Robert brings the leadership, experience, and community perspective needed to bring our vision to life."

Susie Cohen Crumpler, the current CEO of the JCC East Bay and a member of the Campus Board, will continue to lead the JCC East Bay as it transitions to the Campus. She has been the driving force behind the Campus project since September 2025, overseeing a critical period of development and transition.

“I have been leading this effort for the past year, and it has been an extraordinary opportunity," Cohen Crumpler stated. "Robert and I have worked closely together, and I am excited about his appointment and the future of the Campus.”

The Campus Board and JCC East Bay leadership will continue to work in tandem, with distinct responsibilities. The JCC East Bay will focus on building a strong, thriving center, while the Campus leadership will concentrate on developing the broader Campus as a community institution.

Wise’s primary responsibilities will include advancing the Campus’s long-term vision, strengthening partnerships, and creating an environment where the organizations on the Campus can thrive together.

"The Campus is more than just a collection of buildings; it is a community institution," Wise said. "I am eager to work with the community partners and the JCC East Bay to make this vision a reality."

As the East Bay Jewish Community Campus moves forward, its leaders remain committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive space that will serve the needs of the community for years to come.